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I finally stopped looking and bought a TIG welder. For the little amount of practice and playing I did with it today, I have a tan line on the inside of my upper arms where my T- shirt was. I'm not very comfortable with this.
The question for any of the welders is, what is comfortable protection in this heat? It was well over a 100 in my garage this afternoon. What is the best for protection and not sweat to death?
My first project is putting new mufflers on the Vette. I've learned two things so far. The arc does not like dirty rusty steel at all. Overhead welding is easier than with gas welding. No, I haven't progressed to that point yet, but I tacked everything up and pulled it out of the car. It's nice not having to worry about what the flame is burning up and putting pieces of sheet metal behind everything.

Yeah, welding in the summer kinda sucks. Especially TIG 'cause it requires a bit more comfort and concentration to get a good weld. And you can't have a fan on for air circulation 'cause that'll blow your gas away.
I usually use some lightweight coveralls, blue cotton Navy issue. Depending where you are, you can usually find these exact ones in thrift stores for cheap. Sometimes it's so uncomfortable though I just put a T shirt on and slather up with some 50 spf sun block. I get so lubed up I could probably do a slip 'n' slide on the garage floor!
A tip for the summertime: This pertains more to welding aluminum than steel but, it does happen with steel too. You may find after you've been welding a bit that your rod hand starts to get shocked. It's 'cause your hand is sweating and glove's getting wet. Use latex gloves under your welding gloves. No more shock.
-David

Mugsy wrote: "I usually use some lightweight coveralls, blue cotton Navy issue."

Are you talking about "Poopie Suits"??

Thruwurkin

One reason TIG welding is more likely to sunburn the operator is the lack of smoke from the flux burning that happens with a stick weld. The UV rays don't get filtered out as well if they don't have to penetrate a smoke screen. I used to be a TIG welder for E.& J. Gallo, installing miles of 4" stainless wine pipe at their Livingston, CA winery. It's uncomfortable, but a long-sleeved cotton shirt, buttoned up to the top, is a bare minimum for TIG work. Leathers are better, but they're danged uncomfortable in hot weather! I can remember hanging pipe 60 feet off the ground, in 108 degree bright sunshine. At least the humidity was bone dry!
Jerry

Ha Jerry, brings back memories of ironworking in Tuscon,Az on those balmy 110 degree days. Overhead stick welding with those wonderful little hot berries down your neck and sleeves. Don't miss it a bit.

Bob

Poopie suits? Never heard 'em called that. I don't know, long sleeve, zippered front. I wear 'em everyday at work. They're comfortable.
If that's an old Navy term, I'll have to ask one of the salty Senior Chief's 'bout that.
-David

A little tip an old welder gave me several years ago. Take a piece of scrap flexible leather around 6" X 8" , I got mind from an old leather work apron. Drill a few holes for pop rivits along the bottom of your hood (chin area). Sandwich the leather between the hood and a small 1/4" wide strip of meatal and pop rivit. It will keep your neck from burning from the arc and also help with stick and others.

I was a production welder for almost 10 years (used mig not tig). In the summer it averaged 90-95 degrees in the plant. I felt comfort was far more important than stopping a few "fireballs." I made sure to tie my boots tight to keep slag out of them also make sure you don't have folds at the cuff of your pants leg that could trap slag. As for the top I wore a heavy, blue "work" shirt. You can pick them up at any uniform store or even wal-mart. You will still get burnt a little but it's not as bad as wearing a t-shirt. The finale point always wear sun block, anything less than 45spf is a joke. Use as much as you can. I know some people at work that put so much on they looked like casper the welding ghost!

When I was younger, I worked in a scrap yard cutting steel with a torch. Even on the hottest days, I wore a Navy deck jacket. The extra insulation in the jacket helps to keep the heat out, and your sweat actually does a better job of keeping you cool. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids.

Thanks guys. I had already planned on the neck guard as I have seen some welders with them. Fortunately with the auto darkening hood, it won't be that big of a pain. The consensus seems to be that the heavy cotton long sleeve will work. I'll give that a try and maybe try to schedule the welding around the days that are not quite so hot. I need a better pair of gloves. My long cuff gloves are too stiff to operate the fingertip control. My other leather gloves work fine, but too short.

A couple of months ago I sustained a couple of burns on my foot when a piece of weld dropped into my shoe. I was mig welding. The burn on the bottom of my foot stayed sore for weeks. Then I noticed what I thought were bug bites on my ankle.
Weeks went by and the bites seemed to multiply. Then one day I came down with flu symptoms, fever, aching all over and a huge headache. The next day my leg started to swell and I still had the flu symptoms. I went to the hospital and ended up on an IV of antibiotics for two weeks. I had cellulitis, an infection of the tissue under the skin. The point of entry was most likely the original welding burn on my foot.

I guess I learned from this incident.